Facing mounting public pressure over the cost of fuel, the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) has launched a public information campaign defending current pump prices, citing ongoing disruptions to trade routes in the Middle East and rising import costs.

According to a newly released global energy update by the NPRA, the government is currently spending an estimated USD 2 million monthly to subsidize fuel costs and shield citizens from the full brunt of global market volatility.

NPRA Director General Brima Baluwa Koroma stated that “fuel prices continue to rise globally as disruptions to trade routes in the Middle East significantly impact global supply chains, leading to uncertainty in oil flow.” He further noted that marine insurance and import costs are on a continuous upward trajectory.

The regulatory body emphasized that without government intervention, citizens would be paying significantly more at the pump.

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Petrol: Currently sold to the public at SLE 35 per litre. Without the SLE 2.00 subsidy, the actual market price would be SLE 37.

Diesel: Currently sold at SLE 40 per litre. Without the SLE 4.00 subsidy, the actual market price would be SLE 44.

Kerosene: Currently sold at SLE 40.79 per litre. Without the SLE 3.51 subsidy, the actual market price would be SLE 44.3.

“It was a timely relief that the government took immediate measures by reintroducing subsidy,” Koroma stated, adding that the intervention is meant to stabilize prices for households and businesses alike.

The NPRA’s latest communications appear to be a direct response to growing public frustration. On April 17, consumer advocacy groups and citizens publicly questioned the NPRA’s pricing formula, demanding a reduction in local fuel prices to reflect recent drops in global oil indices. Critics argued that while the NPRA is quick to raise prices during global crises—such as the recent tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States—they are noticeably slower to lower them when international markets cool.

The high cost of fuel has severely impacted the cost of living in Sierra Leone, with reports indicating that the price of 20 liters of fuel is now equivalent to a full bag of rice, placing immense pressure on transportation fares and small businesses.

The current pricing structure was initially implemented in early April. On April 2, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education announced the adjustment to SLE 35 for petrol and SLE 40 for diesel, noting it was necessary due to international pressures.

By April 6, the government expanded on its strategy, categorizing the subsidies as part of a broader national response to a global energy crisis. Officials highlighted that the prolonged blockage of critical shipping corridors, such as the Strait of Hormuz, has disrupted not only petroleum but also essential agricultural inputs like urea fertilizer.

To address the cascading economic effects, the government has announced plans for targeted interventions, including cash transfers to vulnerable populations, expanded funding for school feeding programs, subsidized school transportation and operational support for the Waka Fine bus system, which serves roughly 35,000 commuters daily in Freetown.

Despite these measures, Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, Alimamy Bangura, acknowledged the strain on the national budget, noting that declining import volumes have reduced government revenue at a time when public expenditure on critical social programs is increasing.

The NPRA maintains that it is continuously monitoring the market and engaging with global partners and local suppliers to improve supply chains and eventually reduce costs. For now, however, the authority insists the $2 million monthly subsidy is the primary barrier preventing even higher costs for Sierra Leonean consumers.